[arlerts]

I need advice on a sore I have recently found in my genital area. I didn't notice it until I felt my underwear line rubbing against it one day, and since then it hurts and sometimes bleeds (very minimally, though). I've never had this happen before, I am only 17, and I have never had sex. Sometimes when I get home from school, I will see a light red on the edge of my underwear where the sore is, but whenever I touch it, it is dry and it only lets out "pus" when something rubs against it for an extended period. It is a very small bump, only slightly raised, and it is sore to touch. I shave occasionally, and when I do, the sore does not hurt. I wash it every time I shower. I am a bit too embarrassed to mention this to my parents just yet, and I want to get an idea of what it could be.

[Wondergirl]

It could be an ingrown hair or something worse. We can't see it (and no, please don't post a photo of it) and can't diagnose over the Internet.

Tell a parent and have a doctor check it.

[tickle]

Pus is yellow, but I don't think there is pus coming out of it, could be just serous liquid which is white blood cells. If you are not sexually active don't worry, but do mention it to your mom.

[Alty]

It really sounds like an ingrown hair which will need to be removed by your doctor. It does happen, especially if you shave.

It could also be that your panties are causing a sore. If your underwear is too tight, or the leg parts or waistband is too tight, it can rub against your skin and cause a sore. If that's the case then you need new underwear.

But really, we can only guess. I'd tell your mom. Mom is a woman too. Ingrown hairs are quite common, so if that's what this is, she won't be shocked. I know it's sometimes hard, but until you're an adult you have to rely on your parents to get you the medical care you need.

[Sinquisitive]

Sounds like an ingrown hair that is being irritated by your underwear. Try not shaving (gasp!) and wearing boxers or some other sort of loose underwear for a while and see if that helps. If it doesn't, try seeing a doctor.